Multipurpose electronic timer



p 1962 R. BURDICK 3,056,051

MULTIPURPOSE ELECTRONIC TIMER Filed Nov. 25, 1960 INVENTOR.

Roberl L. BurdieL udzekp azzw ATTOEAEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,056,051 Patented Sept. 25., 1962 3,056,051 MULTIPURPOSE ELECTRONIC TIMER Robert L. Burdiclr, 1405 Dorchester Road, Havertown, Pa. Filed Nov. 25, 1960, Ser. No. 71,840 3 Claims. (Cl. 307-132) (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

The present invention relates to a novel and improved multipurpose timing device and more particularly to a novel and improved electronic timing circuit which selectively provides a plurality of timing intervals of a predetermined character.

In studying the physiological and psychological aspects of confinement of the human operator in a sealed cabin or the like in preparation for flight into space, apparatus must often be used which requires the measurement and use of precise intervals of time. Although various types of timing devices for such apparatus have been used in the past, considerable difficulty has been experienced heretofore in obtaining a timing device which is highly accurate and reliable and yet relatively simple and economical in construction.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved electronic timing device which will accurately and dependably provide any of a plurality of predetermined timed intervals.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved electronic timing device which cannot be improperly triggered by stray voltages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved electronic timing device which is not subject to error due to failure to completely reset the circuit between cycles.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved electronic timing device which may be readily reset or preset to a predetermined phase of the timing cycle at any time.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

The drawing is a detailed schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be noted that the energizing circuit for relay R extends from the control signal input line 11 through manual switch S through conductor 13 and through the relay coil to ground. Relay R is also connected for energization to the relay voltage supply line 15 through a circuit that includes conductor 17, the third position of switch S conductor 19, armature 21 of relay R and conductor 23. The energizing circuit for relay R extends from the relay supply line 15 through conductor 25 through the armature of relay R and through the winding of relay R to ground. The energizing circuit for relay R which is also the plate circuit for triode deenergized armature 37 of relay R conductor 39, and relay R When relay R V is coupled to the voltage supply line 27 through a circuit that includes resistors 43, 45, 47 and 49, conductor 46, the energized armature 37 of relay R and conductor 35. When relay R is i the grid of triode energized and relay R is de-energized, the grid of triode V is connected to the parallel arrangement of condenser C and resistor 40 through conductor 35, armature 37 of relay R switch S and armature 42 of relay R The charging circuit for condenser C extends from the junction of resistors 55 and 57 through conductor 56, the deenergized armature 42 and condenser C to ground. When switch 8 occupies its second and third positions, the grid of triode V is coupled to condenser C through conductor 35, the de-energized armature 37 of relay R switch 8 and conductor 51. The charging circuit for condenser C which is normally grounded through the de-energized armature 53 of relay R extends from the junction of resistors 55 and 57, through armature 53, switch S the bank of resistors 59, 61 and 63, switch S and condenser C to ground. Condenser C may also be instantaneously charged or grounded through manual switch S and conductor 67. The plate circuit of triode V extends from through condenser C and through the tie-energized armature 69 of relay R The grid of triode V may also be selectively connected to the ground or the junction of resistors 55 and 57 through switch S and conductor 71. The charging circuit for condenser C extends from the junction of resistors 55 and 57 through conductor 73, switch S the bank of charging resistors 75. 77 and 79, switch S and condenser C to ground. Output control line 81 and indicator lamp 83 connected thereto are energized by a circuit that extends from the relay voltage supply line 15 through conductor 23 and energized armature 21 of relay R Relay R also controls energization of output line 85 from either control line 87 or control line 89 as its armature 91 is energized or de-energized.

In operation, switch S occupies its first position when the circuit is to provide an immediate output response for a predetermined interval. Before switch S is closed, the grids of triodes V and V are grounded through the de-energized armatures 37 of relay R and 41 of relay R With grounded grids and cathode potentials slightly above ground due to small current flow through cathode resistors 31 and 33, triodes V and V conduct slightly but relay R in the plate circuit of triode V remains de-energized. When switch S is closed and the timing cycle is initiated, relay R is energized. Energization of relay R opens the circuit to ground for the grid of triode V at armature 41. Simultaneously, energization of relay R couples condenser C which has previously been charged by a circuit from the junction of the voltage divider resistors 55 and 57 through conductor 56 and armature 42 of relay R to V This abrupt increase of potential at the grid of triode V causes an immediate surge of plate current in the plate circuit of triode V and relay R is energized. Energization of relay R causes energization of relay R and output line 81 and lamp 83 are energized through armature 21 of relay R Energization of relay R also opensxthe normally closed circuit between output lines 85 and 87 and completes a circuit between output lines 85 and 89. When relay R becomes energized and its armature 37 engages its upper contact, the positive potential at the control grid of triode V and the energization of triode V and relay R are maintained as long as triode V remains substantially out 01f. When relay R is energized, the circuit to ground through armature 69 for the grid of triode V and condenser C is opened and condenser C begins to charge through resistor 75, 77 or 79 depending upon the position of switch S After a predetermined charging interval which is controlled by the RC time constant of resistors 75, 77 and 79 and condenser C triode V fires and its plate potential is abruptly 3 decreased. This abrupt decrease in potential at the plate of triode V is transmitted to the grid of triode V and triode V cuts off. This successively de-energizes relays R and R and output lines 81 and reassume their original condition of energization.

When switch S is moved to its second position, the circuit is conditioned to provide a predetermined output response if the input signal is of sufficient duration. Before the timing interval is initiated by closure of switch S the grid of triode V is grounded through armatures 37 of relay R and 41 of relay R and the grid of triode V is grounded through the armature 69 of relay R As described hereinbefore with the grids of triodes V and V grounded, both triodes remain substantially cut otf and relays R and R are de-energized. When switch S is closed, relay R is energized. Closure of the upper contacts of armatures 41 and 53 of relay R respectively opens the circuit to ground of the grid of triode V and completes the charging circuit for condenser C Selection of the proper resistor from the bank of resistors 59, 61 and 63 as well as condenser C determines the interval necessary to charge condenser C to a potential that will fire triode V If switch S is opened or if the signal on input line 11 is removed before such a potential is accumulated, condenser C is immediately discharged to ground through armature 41 of relay R When relay R is continuously energized for the required interval, however, a potential is accumulated across condenser C that fires triode V and relay R is energized. This energizes relay R and output lines 81 and $5 and operation of the circuit is identical to that described hereinabove in connection with the timing circuit established when switch S occupies its first position.

When switch S is moved to its third position, the circuit is conditioned to continuously alternate between two conditions of energization, each of which is independently controlled to subsist for a predetermined interval. When switch S engages its third contacts, relay R is immediately energized. This opens the path to ground through armature 41 for the grid circuit of triode V and com pletes the charging circuit for condenser C through armature 53. After a predetermined charging interval triode V fires and relay R is energized. This energizes relay R and output lines 81 and 85 Triode V and relays R and R remain energized for the interval required to charge condenser 0., through resistor 75, 77 or 79, and fire triode V When this occurs, triode V relays R and R and output lines 81 and 85 are deenergized for the predetermined interval required to charge condenser C and initiate the entire cycle again.

Switches S and S are provided to selectively ground or fully charge condensers C and 0.; at any time and to immediately establish the phase of the above described timing circuits at a predetermined point in the timing cycle.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

' What is claimed is:

1. Electronic timing apparatus comprising a pair of electron discharge circuits having a common cathode return; a relay which is coupled to one electron discharge circuit and which is energized when said one electron discharge circuit is energized; means for energizing the relay and producing an immediate response of a predetermined duration when the switch occupies its first position, said immediate response producing means including means for normally maintaining each electron discharge circuit substantially cut ofi, means for abruptly energizing the one electron discharge circuit and the relay, means responsive to energization of the relay for maintaining energization of the one electron discharge circuit as long as energization of the other electron discharge circuit remains cut off, and means responsive to energization of the relay for energizing the other electron discharge circuit after a predetermined delay; means for energizing the relay and producing a response of predetermined duration subject to a prescribed condition when the switch occupies its second position, said conditional response producing means including means for normally maintaining each electron discharge circuit substantially cut off, means responsive to the occurrence of an input signal that persists for a predetermined interval for energizing the one electron discharge circuit and the relay, means responsive to energization of the relay for maintainingenergization of the one electron discharge circuit as long as energization of the other electron discharge circuit remains cut off, and means responsive to energization of the relay for energizing the other electron discharge circuit after a predetermined delay; and means for continuously energizing and de-energizing the relay for independent predetermined intervals when the switch occupies its third position, said continuous energizing means including a first condenser coupled to the grid of the one electron discharge circuit, a second condenser coupled to the grid of the other electron discharge circuit, means for grounding the second condenser and charging the first condenser when the relay is de-energized, and means for coupling the grid of the one electron discharge circuit to the plate of the other electron discharge circuit and for charging the second condenser when the relay is energized.

2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 further characterized by having means for re-initiating the entire timing cycle and the delay required to energize said other electron discharge circuit.

3. Electron timing apparatus comprising a pair of triode circuits having a common cathode return; means normally maintaining each triode substantially cut ofi; manually controlled means for energizing one triode circuit after a predetermined interval; a relay which is coupled to said one triode circuit and is energized when said one triode circuit is energized; means responsive to energization of the relay for maintaining energization of the one triode circuit as long as energization of the other triode circuit remains cut off; means responsive to energization of the relay for energizing the other triode circuit after a predetermined delay; and means responsive to energization of the relay for controlling a timed output response.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

